Detailed analysis of FLT3 expression levels in acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: FLT3 mutations are found in up to 30% of cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although new FLT3 mutations are being increasing by investigated, the role of FLT3 expression levels in wild type as well as in mutated FLT3 has only been infrequently addressed. DESIGN AND METHODS: To further evaluate the role of FLT3 in AML we investigated FLT3 expression levels in 207 adult AML patients and 8 healthy donors by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The expression levels were correlated with clinical parameters, FAB types, cytogenetics, flow cytometry, microarray analysis, FLT3 mutations, further molecular aberrations and prognosis. RESULTS: FLT3 expression levels were different in certain FAB types with increasing levels in the following order: M3